Having visited military bases on my two visits to Israel, and interacted and ate with the personnel, I can understand the feeling of connection.

The Volunteers for Israel program is not new. Thousands of Americans including many South Floridians have participated since the initiative began in 1982.

In the basic program, volunteers pay their round-trip airfare to Tel Aviv, and all food, lodging, transportation and a job are provided at no additional cost.

To enhance the original concept, an all-inclusive VFI Plus Program began in 2017 that includes participation in a archeological dig and private tours to sites off the usual tourist track for an additional fee.